Aquatic Center sees significant decrease in attendance

Weather the biggest factor in lower numbers

July 18, 2013

Fewer people passed through the Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center this June compared to one year ago.

Terry Gray, Parks and Recreation director, said attendance in June was just shy of 12,000 people. That number is down significantly from 18,000 people in June 2012.

"It's very hard to compare year-to-year, but June was a pretty sketchy month," she said. "[Numbers] are down from last June. We had a stellar June last year."

Article Photos

T-R PHOTO BY LUKE STALZERMason Reid, 11, of Marshalltown gets ready to flip off the diving board, at the Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center, Wednesday afternoon as people swim and lifeguards monitor the pool.

Gray said the weather contributed to the lack of attendance and there were 15 days in June the aquatic center was either closed or had fewer than 100 people.

Gray said numbers are looking up with a recent stretch of warm weather and limited precipitation.

"We're delighted about July," she said. "[Monday] we had a total attendance of 925."

For the past few years, the aquatic center has encountered failing pumps and pumps struck by lightning, causing Parks and Rec to close portions of the pool, or in some cases, the facility.

Gray said, overall, it's been a great summer for the facility, which is in its 10th year of operation, and she said the numbers have been excellent for water walking, splash dances and the adult-tot swim.

"It's a great facility, and we want people to use it," she said.

The last day for the aquatic center will be Aug. 18.

Aug. 19 will mark the fifth annual "Doggy Dip" where aquatic center patrons can bring their dogs for a final swim in the pool before it's drained for the year. Dogs weighing less than 25 pounds can swim from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and dogs weighing more than 25 pounds are welcome to swim from 6:45 to 7:45.

The aquatic center is open Monday - Friday, noon to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $4.

Call 641-844-1515 or the Parks and Rec recorded information at 641-754-5779 for information on weather closings.